In a significant development, the protesting wrestlers have agreed to temporarily suspend their agitation till June 15, following assurances from the Government. The assurance includes filing a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the outgoing chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), and conducting elections for the sports body by the end of this month.
Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik met with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who invited them for a meeting aimed at resolving the deadlock. This meeting took place three days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah engaged in discussions with the wrestlers and addressed their demands.
Malik and Punia, speaking to reporters after the marathon five-hour meeting, confirmed that the Government has also assured them of withdrawing the FIRs that were lodged against them. These FIRs were a result of the wrestlers and their supporters being booked for violating law and order on May 28, when they marched towards the new Parliament building without permission.
“While we have been asked to wait and suspend our protest until June 15, as the police investigation against Singh will be completed by then, it is important to note that our agitation is not over,” stated Malik. Both she and Punia emphasised that the protest has only been temporarily suspended in response to the Government’s request.
The meeting between the wrestlers and the Minister took place amid the Government’s ongoing efforts to engage with top wrestlers who have been protesting since April 23, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Singh.
Addressing the press conference following the meeting, Thakur expressed satisfaction with the “good atmosphere and positive manner” in which the discussions transpired. He confirmed that the Government has accepted the demands put forth by the protesting wrestlers.
“The wrestlers proposed that the chargesheet against Singh be filed by June 15, the WFI elections be conducted by June 30, and an Internal Complaints Committee, led by a woman, be established within the WFI,” Thakur said. He added these proposals were unanimously agreed upon.
In a significant decision, the Government has also agreed to bar Brij Bhushan and his associates from contesting the elections, in accordance with the wrestlers’ demand. Singh, having served three terms as president, is already ineligible to participate in the elections under the Sports Code.
Thakur further stated that until the WFI elections take place, two women coaches will be added to the ad-hoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) overseeing WFI affairs, specifically addressing technical matters. He emphasised that players will be consulted in the governance of the federation after the elections.
Regarding the wrestlers’ demand for the withdrawal of cases against players, academies, coaches, or akharas (traditional wrestling schools), Thakur confirmed that the government has taken note of this request.
Thakur also mentioned that the wrestlers have agreed to call off their protest and will communicate the same to their supporters. When asked about the number of demands accepted by the Government, Thakur replied, “All these suggestions were agreed upon by consensus. The Government approached these issues with an open mind.”
While Punia, Malik, and two-time Olympian Vinesh Phogat have been leading the agitation since January this year, Phogat did not attend the meeting with Thakur.